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In the initial preaching of the gospel dispensation there was considerable emphasis on repentance. John the Baptist preached
repentance, according the Matthew 3:2, and Jesus followed with a similar message saying, "...The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of
God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel" (Mk. 1:15). Since they ushered in this gospel age with the call to repentance, it must
be considered one of the most important messages.
In more recent years, there has been a turning from this subject. It has become distasteful to those who are self~satisfied and complacent
in their sins. Militant conservatives and liberals have both been guilty of abandoning this truth; yet there is possibly a greater need for such
preaching today than in any other age in history. This nation needs again to be reminded of the ancient prophetic cry, "...Break up your
fallow ground, and sow not among the thorns" Jer. 4:3). We need to feel the plow of conviction sink deep into the soil of our souls so
that we may repent of our sins.
In the beginning of New Testament preaching, we notice that repentance and baptism (in that order) were often linked together. The
baptism of a believer, in the name of Jesus, acknowledges His power to pardon sin. When John the Baptist preached repentance, as
previously noted in Matthew 3:2, he followed the message by baptizing those who had repented. No wonder then that Peter connected the
two in his preaching on the Day of Pentecost, saying, "...Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins..." (Acts 2:38). This order or arrangement of the two important messages seems to set forth a basic truth. When
born-again people by faith viewed Jesus taking away their sins on the cross, they became sorry for their sins and repented. Such genuine
repentance was then followed by baptism in water, symbolizing their belief in a buried but risen Saviour and the washing away of their
sins by the shed blood of Christ. So when true repentance was experienced, it was generally followed by water baptism.
It therefore becomes essential that we understand what characterizes true repentance. How can we possibly repent, if we do not understand
what is involved? Our understanding must be as comprehensive as possible. In general, repentance is termed as the art or process of
repenting. To repent denotes sorrow or regret for sinful practices and a desire to abandon those wrong doings.
There are three levels of repentance which, if considered carefully, should greatly aid our understanding of the subject. The first level
implies regret or concern after the action has been discovered. In a great measure this concern or repentance is activated by the person's
being caught or found out. This level does not manifest regret for the sin which had been committed but rather for having been caught.
A child may steal money and buy ice cream. He cries and says he is sorry only after he has been caught and reproved. It seems likely
that such was the level of repentance experienced by Judas. Mt. 27:3, 4 states, "Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that
he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, I have sinned
in that I have betrayed the innocent blood." Some feel the consequence of sin and then repent. While this form of repentance
declares man's wrong way, it does not desire God's right way.
The second level of repentance is deeper than the shallow regret of the first level. It is a change of mind and attitude with regard to
sin. This repentance does not come as a response to the consequence of sin, but it emerges from deep within and regrets the sinful practice
merely because it is wrong. We can see this level of repentance manifested by the Prodigal Son. The Bible states, "And when he came
to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go
to my Father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee ..." (Luke 15:17-18).No one caught him in
sin, for no one seemed to really care what he did. He came to realize the bitter consequences of sin and was willing to seek better ways.
As he acknowledged his wrong doing, he came to detest the taste of sin. He repented of his sinful behavior in general terms, which
probably embraced all his sinful actions.
The third and final level of repentance manifests regret for both general and specific sins. The repenting person sees each sin as the
monster which it is, denounces it, and turns from it. Such deep repentance is more than a mere change of mind; it is a change of morality
also. It is not only a denouncing of sin but also a holy desire to live in righteousness. It is a complete reversal of one's ideas and actions.
Therefore the message of repentance should never be a mere cry against sin but a call to godliness! This depth of repentance alters
not only the actions but also the very character of the individual involved. Such repentance has been seen in the lives of noble Bible
characters and countless saints of every age, for their lives were drastically changed by their altered views of sin. This deep repentance
manifests itself in lasting conversion. Peter said, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times
of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord ..." (Acts 3:19). Individuals who earnestly seek to turn from sin and live according
to the laws of God have experienced a "godly sorrow" for sins, which is repentance at work (2 Cor. 7:10).May we all seek such repentance
as this; then we shall denounce the presence of sin in this world and despise every sin which enters our lives.
Having considered various levels of repentance, we need to explore some reasons that we should repent. The first and most important
reason is very simple; it is the commandment of God. No greater reason can be found in the pages of holy Scriptures. God commanded
it throughout the Old Testament as prophet after prophet brought the message of God. When John the Baptist began preaching, his
message was "Repent!" Jesus also preached repentance, and every gospel minister who is faithful to preach the whole counsel of God
(Acts 20:27) must preach repentance, for it is taught throughout the Bible. According to Scripture, repentance is a commandment of God.
Acts 17:30 states, "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent ..." When we
commit a sin by violating or transgressing God's perfect laws, we should then obey the words spoken by Peter in Acts 8:22, "Repent
therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee."
There is still another very important reason for repenting of sin. Sometimes it is the only way to divert the impending judgments of
God. God condemns our sins and gives space (time allowed) for repentance before the judgment comes upon us (Rev. 2:21). If we
repent, then often God withholds the judgment. The story of Ninevah is a clear example (Read Jonah 3). I believe that when the forty days
were ended, God would have destroyed the city if the people had not repented. Many believers suffer needlessly today because of a
failure to repent as God commands (Luke 13:2-3).
In conclusion, we should remember that repentance may be manifested in many ways. The people of Ninevah covered themselves
with sackcloth and sat in ashes Jonah 3:6). Job covered himself with dust and ashes Gob 42:6). It was not at all uncommon for individuals
in the Old Testament to manifest their repentance by such external demonstrations; however, in the New Testament we see a better way.
When Peter repented, he wept. The Bible says, "And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock
crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly'" (Mt. 26:75). Such scalding tears of repentance have been called "holy
water."
Regardless of how we manifest our repentance, we must always remember that true repentance is not merely external. Genuine repentance
affects the whole of the individual. It pierces the heart and then permeates the entire life. It makes the repenting individual disavow
sin and turn to embrace a new way of life (God's way) and thereby brings forth "fruits meet for repentance" (Mt.3:8). While there are
warnings given to those who refuse to repent, there are also promises to those who do (2 Chron. 7:14, Isa. 55:7, Eze. 18:21). As you repent,
and turn from sin God will pardon and comfort you (Mt. 5:4).
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